Ritual (2000)
"Shiki-Jitsu" (original title)

A disillusioned filmmaker has an encounter with a young girl who has a ritual of repeating "Tomorrow is my birthday" everyday. He tries to communicate with her through his video camera

Director:

Hideaki Anno

Writers:

Hideaki Anno (screenplay), Ayako Fujitani (novel)

Stars:

Shunji Iwai, Ayako Fujitani, Jun Murakami

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Shunji Iwai	...	Director
Ayako Fujitani
Jun Murakami
Shinobu Ohtake
Suzuki Matsuo	...	Man (voice)
Megumi Hayashibara	...	Woman (voice)

Storyline

A disillusioned filmmaker has an encounter with a young girl who has a ritual of repeating "Tomorrow is my birthday" everyday. He tries to communicate with her through his video camera

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

7 December 2000 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Ritual

Company Credits

Production Co:

Studio Kajino Company, Tokuma Shoten

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shiki-jitsu is based on the autobiographical nouvella "Tohimu" written by Ayako Fujitani (who plays the leading role).

User Reviews

A truly beautiful film from the plot to the cinematography.

I'd been waiting to see this film for nearly three years and finally I had the chance to see it. Luckily, I was not disappointed. This is truly one of the most profound films I've ever had the pleasure to watch. The plot, which I refuse to spoil, delves deeply into the human psyche and it's fragility. It's impossible to not be changed or indeliably marked after watching this true work of cinematic art. Anno's deeply psychological 'Evangelion' runs parallel to this work. Anno is intrigued and infatuated with the fragility of the human mind and the power of belonging and love. 'Ritual' shows the frailness of the human mind and how easy it is to be detached from reality. This is truly a must see film, for lovers of true cinema and lovers of life. Don't let the first 20 minutes deter you from committing to watching the movie, take it all in and the motif will begin to seep into your soul.

As far as the cinematography goes, one can't help but notice Anno's attention to detail in his construction of the motif of entrapment. Pay close attention to the use of frames and barriers; frames within frames, tunnels, mazes, labyrinths, spiral staircases all ripe for deep analysis.

This film truly renders what it is to be human. Beautiful and Essential.